In February, ECU Health, James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital at ECU Health Medical Center and EastCare unveiled North Carolina’s first and only dedicated helicopter for pediatric and neonatal transport. This helicopter advances a longstanding legacy of high-quality, family-centered pediatric care across eastern North Carolina.
The Children’s Transport Team has grown from serving approximately 200 neonatal patients annually to nearly 1,200 neonatal and pediatric transports each year, with specialty-trained clinicians delivering care in the field. Equipped for the smallest patients, the Airbus EC145 C-2 features donor-supported technology, including pediatric ventilators, specialty stretchers, cooling blankets, isolettes and a video-assisted laryngoscope, creating a true mobile ICU in the sky.
In the first 31 days of operation, the helicopter completed 40 transports, equal to 25% of all air transports in 2025, expanding access to rapid, specialized care across the region when it matters most.
“One third of the children we transport are premature or neonatal infants, many of whom need highly-specialized care,” said Dr. Matthew Ledoux, pediatrician in chief at Maynard Children’s Hospital and chair of pediatrics at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University.
“This new helicopter gives us the ability to reach these babies faster, stabilize them sooner and deliver ICU level care from the very first moments of transport. It is truly a game changer for pediatric and neonatal outcomes in eastern North Carolina.”
This dedicated aircraft strengthens a decade-long pediatric transport partnership and represents a major step forward in delivering faster response, earlier stabilization and improved outcomes for children and families across eastern North Carolina.
A transformational $10 million gift from the Brody family will expand the Brody Scholars Program, North Carolina’s premier medical school scholarship, creating new opportunities for future physicians committed to serving communities across the state. This investment strengthens the Brody School of Medicine’s mission to increase the supply of primary care physicians, particularly in rural and underserved areas, while advancing a proven pathway for training community-focused, service-driven clinicians.
The impact is far-reaching, reducing financial barriers for students, strengthening the pipeline of highly trained physicians and supporting long-term improvements in health outcomes across North Carolina. Current Brody Scholars point to expanded opportunities, experiences and access made possible through this generosity.
The Brody Scholars Program completely covers academic costs for medical students, who are selected through an objective process coordinated by the Brody Scholars Steering Committee, who seek to award the scholarship to the ‘best of the best’ of the incoming class. The school’s commitment to the scholars totals approximately $133,000 annually, or nearly $500,000 a year per class to cover the financial cost of attendance.
As Brody Scholar Christian Smallwood, ’27 shared, “The Brody Scholars Program impacts a lot more than the students. The program impacts the community and all of eastern North Carolina, and I am so thankful for their gift, which allows me and my classmates to make a difference in this community. It’s pretty special, and I take pride in being a part of this program.”
In recognition of this extraordinary generosity, the new Center for Medical Education, opening in fall 2027, will be named the Brody Center for Medical Education, honoring a legacy of philanthropy that will benefit patients and communities for generations.
Click here to watch a special video from current Brody Scholars.
Martin and Melissa Anderson, longtime supporters of the ECU Health Foundation, are making a difference in the lives of others through their commitment and passion for philanthropy and service. Through the years, the Andersons have supported the efforts of James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital at ECU Health Medical Center and the College of Nursing at East Carolina University. Most recently, Martin and Melissa established a $250,000 endowment to benefit pediatric cardiology patients and clinicians at Maynard Children’s Hospital.
The Anna-Gray Anderson and Family Pediatric Cardiology Endowment, named in honor of their daughter, Anna-Gray, will provide programmatic and capital support with funding priority given to support Camp WholeHeart, a weekend camp designed for children living with congenital heart defects. Anna-Gray herself was once a pediatric cardiology patient at Maynard Children’s Hospital and, today, is a healthy 27-year-old living in Colorado.
Filled with gratitude for the lifesaving care and compassion their family received more than two decades ago, the Andersons created this endowment as a way to give back and ensure other children and families across eastern North Carolina receive the same specialized care and support that meant so much to them. Their gift reflects not only their appreciation, but also their deep commitment to advancing pediatric health care in the region they proudly call home.
As a Jersey Mike’s franchise owner, Martin has also demonstrated his commitment to giving back through the company’s annual Day of Giving campaign, held each year on the last Wednesday in March, during which 100% of sales are donated to local charities. Wanting to honor the exceptional care his daughter received at James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital, Martin designated the hospital as the beneficiary for all of his franchise locations in North Carolina. What began as a deeply personal commitment has since resulted in more than $1 million raised to support sick and injured children across eastern North Carolina.
The Andersons’ spirit of generosity and service is deeply rooted in the example set by their parents, who devoted decades to caring for and strengthening eastern North Carolina communities. Melissa’s father, the late Dr. William Monroe, lived a life defined by compassion, service and dedication to others. He began his medical career serving as the only physician for his battalion during the Vietnam War, where he was awarded the Bronze Star for Merit and the Combat Medical Badge for his service and sacrifice.
Following his military service, Dr. Monroe established his ophthalmology practice at Greenville Eye Clinic in 1969, where he faithfully cared for patients for nearly 40 years. Guided by a lifelong commitment to serving others, he also volunteered as the eye doctor for ECU Athletics for almost 35 years. In honor of his enduring legacy, the Anderson family, including her sister, Christina Teague, established the $25,000 Dr. William Monroe Medic to Nurse Endowment, supporting ECU’s College of Nursing medic-to-nurse pathway, helping future nurses continue a tradition of compassionate care. As a Pirate™ Nurse herself who worked at ECU Health Medical Center’s Pediatric ICU for 27 years, Melissa treasures the opportunity to help future nurses establish the same commitment to care demonstrated by her father.
The Andersons’ commitment to philanthropy has also been inspired by their mothers, both proud East Carolina University alumnae who shared a deep love for their community and a belief in the power of education and service. To honor their mothers’ legacies and invest in the future of eastern North Carolina, Martin and Melissa established the Blanche Kammer Monroe & Frankie Martin Carstarphen Anderson Endowment for faculty support at East Carolina University. Through this $25,000 endowment, they hope to strengthen opportunities for future generations in the College of Nursing by supporting teaching stipends, research and student assistance, in gratitude for the region and institutions that have played such an important role in their family’s story.
Not only does Melissa give back through philanthropic support, but she also invests her time and expertise through service. She currently serves on the American Heart Association of Greenville Heart Ball executive leadership team, the ECU Health Patient and Family Advisory Council and the College of Nursing DAAB (Dean’s Advisory and Advancement Board), which advances the dean’s strategic vision for nursing education in eastern North Carolina.
For more than 57 years, the Anderson family’s connection to ECU and ECU Health has remained a constant thread in their lives, shaped by care received, relationships built and a deep sense of belonging to the community. That enduring connection continues to inspire their commitment to giving back. As Melissa and Martin reflect, “we are just so grateful to be able to give back to the hospital and university that have given so much to our family.”
The 41st annual Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Celebration Broadcast raised an incredible $1,086,906 to support pediatric care at James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital at ECU Health Medical Center, bringing the total raised over four decades to $36.6 million. Thanks to the ongoing support of donors, volunteers and partners, children from across our region continue to receive the highest quality care, close to home.
Produced by longtime CMN partner WITN, this year’s broadcast highlighted the real-life impact of CMN support through heartfelt stories from patients, families and care teams at Maynard Children’s Hospital. The program demonstrated how community generosity helps ensure children throughout eastern North Carolina have access to exceptional pediatric care when they need it most, with a special $100,000 matching gift from a true friend of Maynard Children’s Hospital providing even greater support.
“The generosity displayed during this year’s telethon is a powerful reminder of what our community can accomplish when we come together,” said Elise Ironmonger, director of programs, ECU Health Foundation. “Every donation represents an investment in the health and future of local kids and families. We are deeply grateful to the businesses, organizations, volunteers and individual donors whose support helps Maynard Children’s Hospital provide advanced care, innovative treatments and hope for children throughout eastern North Carolina.”
Funds raised during the Celebration Broadcast ensure that children from across the region have access to the highest quality care, advanced medical equipment and life-saving programs. Each dollar raised stays local to support pediatric services at Maynard Children’s Hospital.
Major sponsors once again demonstrated their generosity, with the following top contributors each giving at least $100,000: Speedway, part of 7-11, Inc ($174,903), Walmart and Sam’s Club ($157,802), Music for Miracles Radiothon ($121,980) and Log A Load for Kids ($100,000).
The following sponsors each made a significant impact with donations totaling more than $20,000: Dance Arts Theatre ($34,814), Panda Express ($26,947) and Extra Life ($21,362).
The following organizations contributed between $5,000 and $20,000: Ace Hardware, American Builders, Barbour Hendrick Honda of Greenville, Dairy Queen, Eastern Radiologists, Miller and Friends Lemonade Stand, Ollie’s, Phi Mu, Pepsi/Minges Bottling Group and Publix.
Additional support came from these generous sponsors who contributed between $1,000 and $5,000: Ajay Ajmera, Arun Ajmera, Beaufort Hardware and Print Company, Builder’s Discount Center, Care-O-World, Grady-White Boats, Harris, Creech, Ward & Blackerby, P.A., RE/MAX, Oasis Shrine, Piratethon, Ricci Law Firm, Stallings Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning, Valvoline, Walgreens and Wawa.
The local CMN fundraising program is staffed and supported by the ECU Health Foundation, the non-profit charitable corporation that serves as the custodian for all financial gifts and bequests to ECU Health and the colleges and schools of the Health Sciences at ECU. The ECU Health Foundation oversees allocation of all donated funds.
East Carolina University Health Sciences donors Ed Demaree and Sandy Brotherton celebrated their March wedding not with a gift registry, but with an invitation to give. In lieu of presents, they asked family and friends to donate to university scholarships, a fitting reflection of two people who have spent their lives in service to others. The centerpiece of their appeal is the Demaree-McGinnis Endowed Scholarship at East Carolina University’s College of Nursing, established in memory of Ed’s sister Pam.
A pioneering flight nurse with EastCare air ambulance, Pam was among the program’s founding members in 1986 and was widely remembered as someone who poured herself into mentoring others interested in emergency medicine. She died in the tragic 1987 EastCare crash during one of her missions, alongside chief flight nurse Mike McGinnis. Over the scholarship’s 39-year history, it has supported 19 ECU nursing students with more than $15,000 in aid.
Sandy brings her own philanthropic legacy to the marriage. After more than 30 years as a professor in the physical therapy program at the Medical University of South Carolina, she became acutely aware of the financial pressures facing healthcare students. She and four retiring colleagues established the Come Together Physical Therapy Endowed Scholarship, and donations in the couple’s honor can be directed there as well.
Their message to peers, particularly those entering second marriages or later-in-life celebrations, is straightforward: if you’re already established and don’t need another set of dishes, consider directing that generosity toward the next generation of healthcare professionals. As Sandy put it, it’s a meaningful way to honor loved ones and invest in fields that depend on talented, dedicated people willing to do demanding, often dangerous work.
To give to the Demaree-McGinnis Endowed Scholarship, click here.
2026 marks a meaningful milestone for the ECU College of Nursing as the college honors the upcoming retirement of Dr. Rebecca Bagley, a beloved educator, mentor and national leader in midwifery education.
Dr. Bagley’s story is deeply rooted in ECU. She began her journey as a student at the College of Nursing, returned as faculty and spent decades shaping the nurse-midwifery program while continuing to practice clinically and serve in leadership roles across the country. Her impact can be seen not only in the program’s success, but in the countless nurses and midwives she has mentored along the way.
As she prepares for retirement, Dr. Bagley is creating a scholarship in her honor to support future nursing students, a fitting continuation of the legacy she has built over more than 35 years.
If you are interested in supporting the Rebecca Bagley Scholarship Endowment in Midwifery, please click here.
Founded by a passionate group of nurses, Santa’s H.O.P.E. (Helping Oncology Patients Everywhere) was created to bring joy, dignity and comfort to cancer patients receiving care at ECU Health Cancer Care at the Eddie and Jo Allison Smith Tower during the holiday season. This heartfelt initiative offers patients a unique and meaningful way to experience the magic of the holidays without the added stress, expense or health risks often associated with crowded public spaces.
Santa’s H.O.P.E. provides a free, in-facility shopping experience that prioritizes patient safety and well-being. Both hospitalized patients and those receiving outpatient treatment are invited to select gifts for their loved ones in a warm, welcoming environment. Every gift is thoughtfully chosen and funded entirely through donations, removing financial burden while preserving the joy of giving.
Over the past two years, Santa’s H.O.P.E. has made an impact for nearly 800 patients, offering moments of comfort, connection and holiday cheer during one of the most challenging times of their lives. Through generosity and compassion, Santa’s H.O.P.E. ensures that no patient has to miss the spirit of the season while undergoing cancer treatment.
“Thank you to all of the donors who gave to Santa’s H.O.P.E. philanthropically or by giving items generously. This gave our cancer patients a safe place to come and “shop” for their loved ones without having the worry of financial burdens. We are truly grateful for your support.” – Christine Smith, Santa’s H.O.P.E. Coordinator, Manager of Patient Care Services, Cancer Center Medical Oncology
Bob and Penny Barnhill, lifelong residents of eastern North Carolina, have built a legacy rooted in generosity and community spirit. Their philanthropic reach extends across the region, and at ECU Health and the ECU Health Foundation, we are deeply grateful for their partnership and support.
Since 2020, the Barnhills’ family business, Barnhill Contracting, has celebrated ECU Health Cancer Care nurses and healthcare workers with a special lunch during National Nurses Week. What began as a gesture of gratitude for the exceptional care given to a co-worker has become a cherished annual tradition, one that lifts spirits and reminds the Cancer Care teams how much their work matters.
“Philanthropy is about investing in the well-being of our neighbors and the future of our community. I choose to give to ECU Health because the world-class care they provide is not just medical; it is personal and essential. For the people of eastern NC, ECU Health is a lifeline and supporting it means ensuring that every community member has access to the compassionate, high-quality care they deserve.”
– Bob Barnhill
The Barnhills’ generosity also continues to advance medical education and research. In 2018, Bob and Penny joined ECU Health and East Carolina University to create two distinguished professorships within the Division of Hematology and Oncology at the ECU Brody School of Medicine.
Their $3 million gift established The Robert and Penny Barnhill Distinguished Professorship in Hematology and Oncology and The Barnhill Family Distinguished Professorship in Hematology and Oncology, each honoring their enduring commitment to improving health care in eastern North Carolina.
Currently held by Dr. Darla Liles, the Barnhill Family Distinguished Professorship supports critical research roles, including nurses, clinical research associates and data managers who make participation in investigator-led clinical trials possible. These trials often lack the funding provided by pharmaceutical sponsors, making the Barnhills’ investment vital to advancing discovery and improving outcomes for patients across our region.
The Robert and Penny Barnhill Professorship, held by Dr. Nasreen Vohra, supports clinical and translational research in a variety of cancers including but not limited to breast cancer, colon cancer, pancreatic cancer and melanoma. The Barnhill Professorship has enabled Dr. Vohra and her research partners, including surgical oncology division faculty and resident physicians, to present their findings at national conferences and attend leadership training. Insights gained from this research, as well as participation in academic and clinical surgical oncology societies, play a critical role in advancing their understanding of cancer and enhancing cancer care in eastern North Carolina and beyond.
In September 2025, ECU Health and East Carolina University marked 40 years of cardiovascular care in eastern North Carolina. The East Carolina Heart Institute has been a cornerstone of heart and vascular care, transforming cardiovascular outcomes across the region by highlighting the importance of education, research, treatment and the prevention of cardiovascular disease.
What started as a comprehensive cardiovascular program at Brody School of Medicine in 1984 has grown into one of the nation’s premier cardiovascular institutes, and philanthropy plays a key role in its growth and success.
Thanks to the collaborative approach between the university and the health system, ECHI connects generous supporters to a mission that saves lives every day. Donor support has fueled innovation, expanded access to advanced technologies and strengthened education, enabling the Heart Institute to emerge as a national leader and a contemporary university-based model of excellence. Today, ECHI remains a leader in groundbreaking initiatives and innovative treatments and technology. With support from donors and the community, the program will continue to excel and provide world-class heart care close to home.
Click here for a special look at the history of ECHI.
Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is the leading cause of maternal death and family dissolution in the U.S., with eastern North Carolina experiencing some of the most severe outcomes nationwide
Thanks to a $15,486 grant from the ECU Health Foundation, ECU College of Nursing faculty Courtney Caiola, PhD and Chandra Speight, PhD, in partnership with David Ryan, MD, founding clinician of ECU IMPACT, are leading a new initiative to improve outcomes in our region. They are working together, along with community partners, to improve regional screening and referral processes so at-risk groups can be connected to ECU IMPACT’s evidence based perinatal and addiction services.
This project reflects the shared mission of the College of Nursing and ECU Health, and is made possible by the generosity of ECU Health Foundation donors who are driving innovative solutions where they are needed most.